Month: January 2023

Shamardal’s Algiers Impressive In Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) stormed to an impressive 6 1/2-length victory in the $250,000 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented by Zabeel Feed on Friday to add an exclamation point to the opening card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Already a group winner after taking the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last term, the 6-year-old entire punched the breeze out wide as Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) battled Capezzano (Bernardini) for the backstretch run. In a good rhythm, although at least six deep on the bend, Algiers edged up to make it a line of four 600 metres out, and slingshotted past foes with abandon to seize the advantage just before the quarter-pole. From there it was only a matter of how far, with Discovery Island (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) making up ground to take second, with Everfast (Take Charge Indy) another 2 1/2 lengths behind.

“All credit to Algiers, he was really tough out there,” said co-winning trainer Simon Crisford. “We wondered beforehand if he'd had enough match practice on this surface against these horses, but he's handled it really well.”

“He's won over 10 1/2f (2100metres) at York and in France so he should get it,” he added of the Dubai World Cup distance. “He will be in the World Cup, he's also in the big race in Saudi [at the end of February], and we'll look at the next leg of the Maktoum Challenge too.”

Said Doyle, who was riding his 99th UAE winner, “The draw (11) was always a worry and I had to go four or five wide around the turn, giving away ground, but he's shown again he's a good horse.”

Successful in a Saint-Cloud listed affair back in September of 2020 and at the same tier at Compiegne in June of 2021, he placed in a pair of French Group 3s later that season. Sent to Dubai, he landed his first group race in his second start in the desert, by 1 1/2 lengths in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile in February. Unplaced in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night, Algiers made a winning return in a 1 mile 1 1/2f handicap at York, but he tired to sixth in the Listed James Seymour S. at Newmarket after being carried left on Oct. 29. However, he warmed up for this tour-de-force with a very narrow second to  Missed The Cut (Quality Road) in Lingfield's Listed Churchill S. on Nov. 12.

 

Pedigree Notes

The late Darley stallion Shamardal has 164 stakes winners to his name, with Algiers part of an 83-strong battalion of group winners. Based on Friday's performance, it is not outside the realm of possibility that he could become Group 1 scorer number 28 later in the year.

A half-brother to the dam of the multiple stakes placed Anthorus (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), Algiers is the best foal produced by his accomplished dam, the Platini (Ger) mare Antara (Ger). Earning black type in no less than five countries, the mare was the most highly rated 3-year-old filly of her year in Germany, with a win in the G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit. She also earned Group 1 placings in Italy, France and England. Besides Algiers, she has three other winners to her credit, with the winning 4-year-old Frankel (GB) gelding Wild Tiger (GB) being her last reported foal.

 

Friday, Meydan, Middle East
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R1 (PRESENTED BY ZABEEL FEED)-G2, $250,000, Meydan, 1-6, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600m, 1:35.88, ft.
1–ALGIERS (IRE), 126, h, 6, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Antara (Ger) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Ger at 9 1/2-11f,
                                GSW-Ger, G1SP-Ity & Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng,
                                SP-Tur, GSW-Eng, $499,204), by Platini (Ger)
2nd Dam: Auenpracht (Ger), by General Assembly
3rd Dam: Auenqueen (Ger), by Big Shuffle
O-Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon &
Ed Crisford; J-James Doyle. $150,000. Lifetime Record: MSW &
MGSP-Fr, 19-6-5-2, $416,934. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Discovery Island (GB), 126, g, 6, Dubawi (Ire)–Sperry (Ire), by
Shamardal. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE.
O-Mohammed Khaleel Ahmed; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Bhupat
Seemar. $50,000.
3–Everfast, 126, g, 7, Take Charge Indy–Awesome Surprise, by
Awesome Again. ($47,000 Ylg '17 KEEJAN). O-Kildare Stud –
Frankie O'Connor; B-Extern Developments (KY); T-Doug
Watson. $25,000.
Margins: 6HF, 2HF, 3/4.

 

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‘Even The Public Is Noticing’: Maryland’s Groom Recognition Program Hits Its Stride

A groom recognition program that began Thanksgiving Day 2021 at Laurel Park truly established itself in 2022 and is continuing into the new year.

On all live racing days at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club fund the “Best Turned Out Award” in every race as a way to show appreciation for the time and effort shown by those who bring the horses to the paddock. The program has become so popular that there's even a little competition among the grooms.

Phoebe Hayes, who handles horsemen's relations for the MJC, has overseen the program from the start and keeps daily records. She said that in 2022 almost 340 individual grooms won at least once. Winners receive a $25 gift card each race, and on select days sponsors provide $100 gift cards per race.

Michele Enck, the MJC Horse Identifier, handles most of the judging, though sponsors are offered the opportunity to assist on their given days.

“It really gives you an appreciation for the grooms that love their jobs,” Hayes said. “You see how much they care for and love their horses. They are constantly saying 'thank you' to me' and they genuinely know we truly appreciate them. They get creative, too. I'm amazed how hard they try for a $25 award. They've been really stepping up to the plate.”

Hayes, who is in the paddock for each race, noted that members of the public will talk to her, ask questions, and comment when horses are on the scale.

“Everyone is enjoying this,” she said, “and even the public is noticing.”

The MJC has used the program to create Groom of the Year awards, which are sponsored by Rscapes Landscaping. The 2022 top three are Cesar Cruz with 69 recognitions, followed by David Gallegos with 32 and Javier Cruz with 28. For first place, there is a $300 gift card and a crystal trophy with donated engraving from Allogram; the second- and third-place finishers will each receive $100.

Cesar Cruz, son of Javier Cruz, brings over most of the horses trained by John Salzman Sr. Javier Cruz does the same from John Salzman Jr. Gallegos, who now works at Dr. Alex Diaz's To Win Again Farm, earlier handled horses for several trainers including Milan Milosevic.

There also are awards for the top three grooms by number of recognitions during each designated meet: $200 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third.

Hayes reached out early on for sponsors and attempts to have one or two sponsored days per month. The response has been encouraging.

“I'm so proud of the sponsor program,” Hayes said. “I tried it to see if we could get support for it. In some cases people reached out to me to sponsor a day, and in some cases I reached out to them.”

The program began as a horsemen's initiative suggested by Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer of 1/ST Racing and Gaming (The Stronach Group). MJC Acting President and General Manager Mike Rogers then asked Hayes to put together a structure for it.

“The grooms are the backbone of the equine industry, dedicating themselves to the care and well-being of these magnificent animals,” Rogers said. “The Best Turned Out Award is a way for us to acknowledge and honor their hard work and dedication. These individuals truly deserve recognition for their tireless efforts in ensuring the horses they tend to are always looking their best.”

The MTHA will soon announce its 2022 Grooms of the Year for Laurel and Pimlico. They will be recognized as part of the Renaissance Awards this spring.

The post ‘Even The Public Is Noticing’: Maryland’s Groom Recognition Program Hits Its Stride appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Godolphin Tops Breeders Again

According to The Jockey Club Information Systems on Friday, once again, Godolphin led the individual breeders list in North America for 2022 with $18,621,521 in earnings. Topping the list in 2021, this time around they bred 189 starters with 150 wins, 125 seconds and 117 thirds out of 873 starts. Calumet Farm was second for the second consecutive year with earnings of $17,892,055 with 505 wins out of 3,666 starts.

Godolphin also commanded the breeders list that includes partners with $22,135,787 in earnings and 229 wins from 1,603 starts, with Calumet Farm in second with $18,150,644 in earnings and 517 wins out of 3,754 starts.

Rounding out the top 10 individual breeders were Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, $13,093,482 (151 wins / 845 starts); Brereton C. Jones, $9,451,302 (224/1,467); WinStar Farm, LLC, $9,375,196 (194/1,228); Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey, $9,217,588 (197/1,559); Gary & Mary West Stables Inc., $8,237,678 (130/921); Spendthrift Farm LLC, $6,520,078 (130/825); Summer Wind Equine LLC, $5,421,032 (23/139); and Juddmonte Farms Inc., $5,104,858 (91/486).

Completing the list of the top 10 breeders including partnerships were Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, $13,845,485 (166 wins / 912 starts); WinStar Farm, LLC, $11,731,029 (269/1,718); Brereton C. Jones, $9,677,593 (232/1,535); Kenneth L. Ramsey, $9,530,194 (201/1,608); Sarah K. Ramsey, $9,530,194 (201/1,608); Gary & Mary West Stables Inc., $8,237,678 (130/921); Machmer Hall, $6,950,309 (158/1,148); and Spendthrift Farm LLC, $6,520,366 (130/826).

The complete lists of the top 100 breeders of 2022 are accessible through www.equineline.com.

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